1976 Starcraft SuperSport Rescue

[Tinnman]

Why would anyone want to scrap this boat?
After the rescue, I went about a preliminary restore, with the idea of fine tuning the balance next spring.
The transom was completely rotted and had to be replaced.
My goal was to get it in the water for the fall fishing season. Some parts are still needed, Ebay no help. Any suggestions?

Here's the old transom in a bucket..........
The boat first time home from the scrap yard.......
Getting there..........
Ready for hull integrity test launch.........

PS: Do to financial restraints, yes, it's a 9.9.9hp for now...more to come.






​

 

[GA_Boater]

What parts are you looking for?

 

[wrvond]

This must be the Readers Digest condensed version. The boat looks great; more back story and pictures would be great!

 

[jbcurt00]

FYI, those seat pedestals may not be helm rated, many arent, should specify for use above 5mph/idle

Ratings explained here

http://www.iboats.com/Boat-Seat-Pedestals-Hardware/

 

[82rude]

Why would anybody want to scrap that?Insanity?Drug overdose?Heck it looks better than my 76 ss.That baby is rated for 85 hp you will go nowhere fast with that 9.9.Stolen boat at one time?Did you pic that up at a junk yard or?

 

[Tinnman]

Well Folks, thanks for the feedback.

Re: Chapter 1:
Here's the boat when I found it at the boat yard.


One thing I'm looking for is second back to back seat. I already replaced one pedestal with a back to back seat,but need another (vintage).
Also the bow rail looks like the previous owner installed it backwards, so I'm planning to reverse the rails and add a bow section.
Not stolen, owner brought it to boat yard for new engine,but the yard told him since the transom was so rotted and considering the age,they recommended Junking it. I knew the yard owner and he gave me the boat saving him the cost of scrapping it.
It looks fine in the pictues,but the hull has been repainted, but not a great job. All the topside deck and interior gunwales are covered over with a vinyl decking material. ( he glued it to the aluminum.
By the way, I'd also like to find an original convertible top.
As for the engine,I'm retired and bucks are limited,so I'm going for a new 35hp in the spring replacing the 9.9. My need for speed has mellowed as I have grown older.
Tested hull, -0- leaks! Painted bottom ( I live on the bay in South Jersey,salt water, and yes I'm putting a zinc guppy over the side when moored)

More to come....................

 

[Old Ironmaker]

Very similar to the 80's era 19' Star Craft we restored over the past winter. Those StarCraft hulls and layouts haven't changed much over the years. Mine is a 95' Superfisherman 190 and it is similar as well. Your need for speed may have been lost through the years but a 35 HP won't make you very happy. My 15 horse kicker will only get me 6 mph, maybe.

I just talked to a buddy that has a small Marine shop here and mentioned you need back to backs for the Star Craft but he says he needs them, if anything changes I will let you know.

Nice boat, good luck.

 

[82rude]

Igot rid of my back to backs,hated them and wanted more room.Your bow rail looks exactly like mine use to .Also hated it and got rid of it also.

 

[Tinnman]

Thanks again to all.

Got her in the water and took a test ride. Not a speed boat, but moved enough with the 9.9 to take a 4 mile ride.....

More work to do over the winter.
Looks like I got her in just in time for hurricane Mathew. We are only 2 feet above sea level here and our peninsula extends into the bay ( aerial photo)

Now I've got to get her out and secured on high ground. The other boat is my 251 1983 Chris Catalina.

 

[ezmobee]

Real nice job on that. Can't believe someone scrapped it! I'd recommend a minimum of 50HP for it.

 

[Watermann]

Welcome aboard Tinnman,

Glad you saved her from being turned into Busch light cans. It must be an 18' SS since it had a 115 TOP on it, where's that motor now? I would up the need for HP to at least a 70 HP motor being at 18'r, I have a 140 for my 18'r. :happy:

 

[82rude]

Hard to tell if its an ss160 like mine or 18 footer.Pictures are deceiving.16 foot is rated for 85hp,i have a 2011 60 etec on mine and its quite adequate .

 

[southkogs]

Nice work! Welcome aboard.

 

[Tinnman]

Interesting comment,in that I measured the boat from transom to bow and it read 16.6. However the title says it's an 18?
How did Starcraft determine the length?
The previous owner had an older Mercury 115 on it, and I found an old,very worn USCG capacity plate in the bilge, for an 18, and 115 hp???.

 

[82rude]

Its late but tomorrow I will measure mine im sure 16,6 should be a 160 ss. iboats says the 18 footer is 18..03 feet. Is your boat 76 inches wide?its not unknown for somebody to grab a tag off a bigger boat so hp can be increased without somebody saying something.16.6 is not 18 by any mfg standards.

 

[Tinnman]

Definitely a 16, re-measured at 16.38 ft.

Reversed the existing bow rails and fabricated a forward section from older aluminum 7/8 tubing. Using 1/2 inside to couple to existing rail ends. Bow sections will be joined with a 125 degree v fitting. (again, working on a tight budget, no new rails this year.}

Found a nice set of used Overtons back to back seats online, made offer,waiting.........

Plan to re-upholster bow cushions over the winter, plus painting interior hull. Not sure about what do with deck?? Still solid, but covered with that cheesey white ridged vinyl material...............

 

[Watermann]

What to do about deck covering depends on what material you want to use and the condition of the the existing vinyl.

 

[Patfromny]

I used nautilux vinyl on my floor. It has a pebble finish and is three or four colors in a spatter type design. Comes in several colors too. I like it because it was original, I like the look, and it stood up to the abuse for 30 plus years before I changed it with the floors. Others have painted their deck and added sand as an anti slip. As Watermann alluded to, it depends on the boats intended use and your prefference. Carpet is an option but never was for me. I like the much lower maintenence of the vinyl. I leave the boat in the water all season and don't have power or water at the dock...other than the lake water that is.

 

[Tinnman]

Thanks guys. The nautilux sounds like my option. My little guy is a saltwater boat. Conditions will be more severe than a lake.
Zinc guppy is already over the side at the dock. Bottom is painted with Duralux aluminum bottom paint.
she'll be out of the water in three weeks for the winter.
Already longing for spring.

 

[Patfromny]

I have to go up and pull mine out of the water and drag her home in a week or so. Already looking forward to next season.